Car-coupling



(No Model.)

o. 11.4TUNKS. GAR GOUPLING. No. 340,529. Patented Apr. 2o, 1886.

N4 PErEns. Piwwuclmgmphnr, washingtun. DA C.

i vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CHARLES R. TUNKS, OF ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFIQATON fel-ming page of Letters Paten: No. 340,529, dated Aprilzo, 188e.

Application led February i8, 1886, Serial No. 192,419. (No model.)

To tu whom, t may concern;

Be it known that l, CHARLns TUNKs, a citizen ofthe UnitedStates,residing at Adrian, in the county of Lenawee and Stateof Michi`gan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gar-Couplings;and I do hereby declare the following to be afuli, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in earcouplings, and is moreparticularly an improvement on the Ames7 patents, Reissue No. 7,366 andNo. 206,159, and couplings in which a similar style of draw-head andcoupling-bar is used.

In theV patents above referred to the drawheads are provided withinclined slots in their opposite sides and the couplingbars haveprojecting side pins or trunnions which engage with the side slots andhold said coupling-bars in the draw-heads. The couplingbars are eachprovided with a front slot and subjacent hooks, by means of which thecoupling is effected as the cars are brought together.

The uncoupling is effected by means of uncoupling shafts having centerlevers connected by chains with the rear ends of the coupling-bars, saidchains passing through the tops of the draw-heads. By turning the shaftconnected with the coupling-bar the subjacent hook of which is inengagement with the slot of the opposite coupling-bar, the center leverof said shaft is raised, thus raising the rear end of the couplingbarand lifting its hook out of the slot in said opposite coupling-bar anduncoupling the cars. This device, however, merely raises the rear end ofthe coupling-bar and does not draw it back into the drawhead, and theoperator has to hold the shaft to prevent the coupling-bars fromrecoupling, making it very difficult for him to give the necessarysignals, and when switching the cars he has to run with the same to holdthe coupling-bars apart.

The Object of my invention is to provide a device for uncou'pling thecoupling-bars and drawing the same wit-hin the draw-heads, so

that the side pins or trunnions on said bars will rest in the rear upperportion of the in- @lined slots and permit the operator to release hishold on the uncoupling-shaft, thus giving him perfect freedom in givingthe necessary signals, Sto.

The particular construction and arrange ment of the various parts of myinvention I will now proceed to point out and describe, reference beinghad tothe accompanying draw ings, in which- Figure lis a side elevationof a coupling embodying my invention, the coupling-bars being showncoupled and indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of oneof the draw-heads, the coupling-bar being shown drawn back into thedraw-head; and Fig. 3 is atop plan of a draw-head, showing thecoupling-bar in a position to couple.

Referring to said drawings, A A represent the draw-heads, provided withcurved or inclined slots a on the opposite sides of said draw-heads,saidslots extending upwardly and rearwardly, the upper portion of the samebeing about horizontal. The rear portion of the top and bottom of thedraw-head is made open, as shown in Fig. -3.

The draw-head is secured to the car by means of a yoke or open frame, A.The outer end of the yoke engages with the rear portion ofthe draw-head,and is secured to the same by a pin, A2. This yoke is so arranged as 'topermit a slight lateral play to the draw-head.

B B are the coupling-bars, each having a slot, b, in their front endsand subjacent hooks or prongs b. Said couplingbars are also providedwith side pins or trunnions, c, which workin the sideslots of thedrawlheads. The coupling-bars are also made heavier at their rear endsto maintain them in a position to couple, and the front ends are formedso as to readily slip by each other, and when the cars are broughttogether and the ends of the couplingbars pass each other the front endof the lower bar strikes the under side of the hook of the upper bar,raising and passing under it until the hook of the upper bar drops intothe slot of the lower bar, which effects the coupling. The under sidesof the rear ends ofthe coupling-bars are provided with notches orrecesses d d.

D D are transverse u ncoupling-shafts mounted in suitable bearings onthe under side of the draw-heads. Said shafts project on each side ofthe car, and are provided with cranks shafts to move with the same, thusmaintainor Wheels for turning the same. Tothe ceuter of the shafts D areattached lifting-levers E E, having T-shaped heads or ends.

Vhen the cars are coupled, the notch or recess in the rear end of theupper couplingbar is in the are described by the end of the lever on theshaft secured to the drawhead which carries said upper coupling-bar.

e e are adjustable collars on the uncouplingshafts. Said collars engagewith the sides of the draw-heads and cause the uncoupliuging thelifting-levers at all times in the saine relative position to thelongitudinal center of the draw-heads.

To uncouple the cars, the uncouplingshaft is turned and the lever E,passing up through the open part ofthe bottom oi'thedraW-head, engageswith the notch d in the upper coupling`bar, and raises the end of saidcouplingbar until its subjacent hook is lifted out ofthe slot in theopposite coupling-bar, thus uncoupling the cars. By continuing to turnthe shaft the couplingbar is drawn within the draw-head until its sidepins or trunnions rest in the rear upper portion of the side slots. Theoperator can then let go of the uncouplingshaft and give the necessarysignals. The coupling-bar will remain within the draW head until hedesires to recouple. Then, by turning` the uncoupling-shaft in the.opposite direction, the coupling-bar is moved forward until its sidepins rest in the lower forward ends of the side slots and saidcoupling-bar is then in a position to couple.

My invention does away with the necessity ofthe operator holding ontothe uncouplingshaft to prevent the cars from recoupling, which is agreat advantage, as it gives hiin perfect freedom to make the necessarysignals, l

dac; A further advantage is that the tops of the draw-heads can be madesolid, which adds Vgreatly to their strength.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentl. The draw-head having a partiallyopen bottom,a weighted coupling-bar Working therein, as described, and provided witha notch or recess in its rear end, in combination with theuncouplingshaft provided with a lifting-lever adapted to engage with thenotch in the rear end of the coupling-bar as the uncoupling-shaft isturned, all arranged and operating substantially as shown and described;

2. A draw-head provided with slots in its opposite sides, acoupling-bar, substantially as described, having side pins engaging withthe slots in the draw-head and provided with a notch or recess in itsrear end, in combination with an uncoupling-shaft provided with alifting-lever adapted to engage with the notch in the rear end of thecoupling-bar as the uncouplingshaft is turned, all arranged andoperating substantially as shown and dcscribed.

3. The draw-head A, having apartiallyopen bottom, a weighted coupling-bar, B, working therein, as described, and provided with a notch orrecess, d. in its rear end, in combination with the uneouplingshaft D,having the lifting-lever E, all arranged and operating substantially asshown and described.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES It. TUNES. 'Vitnesses:

R. B. RoBnINs,

GEORGE J oHNsoN.

